The State Duma adopted in the second and third readings a law on fines or arrest up to 15 days for distributing maps or images that challenge the territorial integrity of Russia. It is reported by RIA Novosti.
Amendments are being made to Article 1 of the federal law “On counteracting extremist activity.”
When the bill is adopted, cartographic and other documents and images intended for distribution and public demonstration that dispute the territorial integrity of Russia will also be classified as extremist materials.
Another bill introduces corresponding changes to the Code of Administrative Offenses: for the distribution of such cards and other similar products, citizens “will face a fine or arrest for up to 15 days, for legal entities the fine can reach one million rubles,” the State Duma Committee on Security noted.
The initiative was initiated by the head of the committee, Vasily Piskarev, as well as his deputies Ernest Valeev and Anatoly Vyborny.
Piskarev previously reported that “maps and other images are being actively distributed, where the territorial affiliation of the Crimea, the Kuril Islands, and other territories of our country is disputed.”
According to him, it is especially dangerous when such materials are designed for a children’s audience. As an example, the politician cited children’s photo wallpapers “sold in one of the popular retail chains”, where Crimea was designated as part of Ukraine.
Source: Rosbalt
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